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Thoroughly scrub the cage with disinfectant and a cloth (soap and water can also be used, but rinse and dry thoroughly). Be sure to remove every bit of dirt and bedding you can find, and pay special attention to the corners. Scrub the wires of the cage, scrub the floor and sides, and check to make sure it’s clean.
How often should you clean a gerbil cage?
Cleaning your gerbil tank You should clean your gerbilarium every two to three weeks, or more often if it gets dirty. Because gerbils originate from desert and dry grassland areas, they do not produce much urine and waste, so it’s fairly easy to keep their environment clean and free from smells.
What disinfectant is safe for gerbils?
Mild dish soap, such as Dawn, diluted in hot water. Food-safe disinfectant, designed for use on kitchen counters.
Can you use baby wipes to clean a gerbil cage?
Baby wipes are perfectly fine to use for cleaning the cage.
What do you put at the bottom of a gerbil cage?
Fill the cage with 4 inches of bedding. Use absorbent bedding such as recycled paper bedding or dust-free Aspen shavings. Avoid pine and cedar shavings since the fumes are harmful to gerbils. You can also use plain, shredded paper that does not have any newsprint on it.
Do gerbils need a dust bath?
Gerbils should have access to a sand bath at least once a week to keep their fur clean. A sand bath removes dirt and excess oils from the skin, which can prevent bacterial infections. Never give your gerbil a water bath. You can spot-clean your gerbil with a bit of water if this is necessary.
Do gerbils need hay?
Gerbils love to burrow, climb, dig and explore. Gerbils love to chew on the hay and move it around during playtime. Keep at least two of these Oxbow varieties of grass hay on hand: Western Timothy, Orchard Grass, Alfalfa Hay, Brome Hay, Botanical Hay and Oat Hay.
Is Dawn dish soap safe for gerbils?
I think you could use any kind of dishsoap as long as it is rinsed well. A lot of other types of cleaning products will leave a residual coat that could affect sensitive animals.
How often do gerbils need a sand bath?
To get your gerbil’s coat shiny, give it a sand bath! Since they are a desert species, gerbils are accustomed to cleaning themselves in the sand. To keep your gerbil’s coat clean and prevent bacterial infections, you should give your gerbil access to a sand bath at least once a week.
How often should I change my gerbils water?
You should change the water in the container at least once a week, even if there is still water in it, although changing it daily is best.
What is the best bedding for gerbils?
Carefresh or cardboard shavings – This is soft, cozy bedding that is great for tunnelling. It’s digestible, and gerbils can’t get tangled up in it. Shredded paper – A long as the paper is ink- and dye-free, shredded paper can be a good choice of bedding, and has the benefit of being cheap too.
Can gerbils drink milk?
Milk isn’t healthy for gerbils. It can upset gerbils’ stomachs, causing pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. This is because gerbils are lactose intolerant. Gerbils can eat small amounts of dairy products that are low in lactose, like hard cheese.
How long does a gerbil live?
Gerbils/Lifespan.
What do gerbils like in their cage?
Toys: Toys are a must and should appeal to your pets’ innate desire to chew and burrow. Something as simple as a four-by-four wood piece with large holes drilled into it is great for climbing and chewing. Adding new toilet paper rolls and heavy cardboard boxes daily will keep your gerbils entertained.
Do gerbils chew through plastic cages?
Even sold-sided plastic cages are at risk as somehow gerbils still manage to gnaw through. The point is this; plastic and wood simply won’t hold gerbils for long. The reality, therefore, is that the very safest cages for gerbils are made of metal or glass; neither of these can be destroyed over over-active gerbils.
Do gerbils need bedding?
Gerbils need a thick layer of dust- extracted bedding to dig into. Organic soil or peat are great natural beddings for your gerbil along with meadow or Timothy hay, plus shredded paper for nesting. Don’t use fluffy material as this can wrap around gerbils’ limbs and injure them.
Do gerbils like light or dark?
They are used to bright sunshine, so seeing a little sunshine won’t harm them at all. However, it’s best if you don’t leave your gerbil’s cage in the full sun. It’s far better to keep it somewhere shaded, not dark, but out of indirect sunlight. Gerbils find it far easier to warm up than to cool down.
Can gerbils use reptile sand?
The internet has instilled a deep fear of chinchilla dust and even sand, causing groups and forums to encourage the use of playsand or reptile sand. Often they go on about silica (sand) being bad for gerbils. Its for this reason that I strongly recommend you do not keep dust or sand in your gerbils cage.
Is Chinchilla Sand OK for gerbils?
Although there may not be one specifically for gerbils, chinchilla sand will do just fine. Be careful to get sand and not dust, as dust has been known to cause respiratory problems. They’ll squirm around in the sand, giving themselves a good scrub in the process.
